Community tailgate: Tom Brady’s struggles after Patriots

2023 Patriots continue to struggle over the next few years tom bradyLeft as a free agent in 2020. The offensive deficiencies that were glossed over during the legendary quarterback’s final years in New England have held the team back as the search for a long-term successor remains ongoing.

That shows the effort mac jones He was selected in the first round of the 2021 draft, and his rookie performance has led to optimism that he can be a solid performer at center. Since then, however, the Alabama product hasn’t lived up to expectations, and his status as the team’s undisputed starter remained in question this past offseason.Tensions between him and his manager bill belichick Post-IPO, 2023 is viewed as a potential make-or-break year for both parties.

The Patriots’ strange setup in leading the offense last season — here’s what we see Matt Patricia and Joe Judge Sharing duties on a less familiar side — was canceled this spring. Return of OC Bill O’Brien Jones and the rest of the team are optimistic about a rebound, but New England ranks last in the league in points per game and 28th in total offense. Their struggles showed up in undeniable ways over the past two weeks: a 38-3 loss to the Cowboys and then a 34-0 loss at home to the Saints.

no time during Robert KraftThe Patriots have lost two games by 30 points or more in a season during their coaching tenure, a feat that has now occurred in consecutive weeks. Jones didn’t play at the end of either game, but he received a vote of confidence as the starting signal-caller. How long he’s tied down will be a storyline, but the same goes for the play of the receiving corps around him.

Belichick and the Patriots don’t have a great track record of finding high-end receivers in the draft, as has been painfully demonstrated without Brady under center.Occasional free-agent spending sprees — like lucrative trades for tight ends Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry 2021 – has yet to prove to be a useful solution. Mike Gerski This is the latest investment in TE’s spot, which has yet to generate significant production despite the one-year agreement.

Rumors about Belichick’s job security began to grow when Kraft essentially issued a playoff or playoff ultimatum in March. While the latter has reversed that sentiment somewhat, it remains to be seen whether the former can help New England escape its 1-4 woes. Failure to do so will undoubtedly draw a lot of attention to Belichick’s intentions; the 71-year-old is reportedly expected to resign (voluntarily or otherwise) if playoff success fails again this season.

Unsurprisingly, defensive stability has been a mainstay for the Patriots during Belichick’s tenure.However, with two Pro Bowl edge rushers, the unit is in danger of significantly declining in efficiency this year Matt Judon and a first-round rookie cornerback. Christian Gonzalez He is expected to miss the remainder of the campaign. Since the offense can’t score consistently, the team will have to rely on the defense, so their losses will be severely impacted.

Advancing in a division with the Dolphins and Bills will be a difficult task, as those teams have an edge in the standings and have issues that could keep the Patriots away without Brady Later it became the third year of four teams. Playoff appearances (the only exception is in 2021, which includes a 30-point loss in the Wild Card Game). While that era came with a loss of talent off the field and in the front office for the organization, the current situation has led to renewed calls for a massive shakeup.

What do you think about the Patriots’ performance in 2023 and the overall trend they highlight? Should Jones and/or Belichick continue to be key determinants of future success (or perhaps the lack thereof)? Or is the organization better suited to move in a fundamentally different direction and begin a new era? Have your say in the comments section below.

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